William herschel is one of the most eminent astronomers in british history. As a young man, he became interested in studying the night sky. He constructed telescopes that were able to see further and more clearly than any others around at that time. His sister caroline also became a distinguished astronomer - she discovered several comets and carried out highly important work on stars. Withme: r monica grady, professor of planetary and space sciences at the open university. Caroline crawford, from the institute of astronomy cambridge,. And jim bennett, keeper inmeritus at the science museum in london.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss William Herschel (1738 – 1822) and his sister Caroline Herschel (1750 – 1848) who were born in Hanover and made their reputation in Britain. William was one of the most eminent astronomers in British history. Although he started life as a musician, as a young man he became interested in studying the night sky. With an extraordinary talent, he constructed telescopes that were able to see further and more clearly than any others at the time. He is most celebrated today for discovering the planet Uranus and detecting what came to be known as infrared radiation. Caroline also became a distinguished astronomer, discovering several comets and collaborating with her brother.
With
Monica Grady
Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences at the Open University
Carolin Crawford
Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge and an Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge
And
Jim Bennett
Keeper Emeritus at the Science Museum in London.
Studio producer: John Goudie